Pre-season is well under way with some Premiership campaigners already getting run-outs alongside a generous sprinkling of youngsters. Here’s a round-up of Saturday’s action that saw Liverpool edge past League One neighbours Tranmere, while Everton and Villa got rolled over in Switzerland.
Tranmere 0 Liverpool 1
Daniel Agger made a return from injury to take his place in a young Liverpool lineup for today’s friendly at Tranmere. The centre-back came through 75 minutes as Rafa’s side won the game 1-0 courtesy of a superb goal from Benayoun sealing the victory. New signings, Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen both made their debuts for Liverpool as second-half subs while Gerrard was given the final 20 minutes as a run out.
Spanish under-17 striker Daniel Pacheco was voted the man of the match after an eye-catching display. The striker, signed from Barcalona last season, seems unlikely to figure in Rafa’s first team plans but could well see regular action in Carling Cup action this term.
Liverpool will now travel to Switzerland with friendly with FC Lucerne scheduled for Wednesday evening. They might need to be wary given that two other Premiership sides suffered defeats at the hands of Swiss opposition on Saturday.
Liverpool Vs Tranmere: Martin (Cavalieri 45), Carragher (Hyypia 45), Hobbs (Skrtel 45), Agger (Kelly 76), Darby (Degen 45), Insua, Plessis (Gerrard 65), Leiva (Spearing 45), Pennant (Flynn 45) , Benayoun (Aurelio 46), Pacheco (Voronin 65).
FC Zurich 2 Aston Villa 1
Villa took on FC Zurich but came off worst as a result of two penalties conceded – Agbonlahor grabbing the goal for O’Neil’s side. Sidwell made his debut in midfield completing 45 minutes before being replaced by Salifou. Barry was conspicuous by his absence – his future looks certain to be elsewhere with Liverpool the front runners although Arsenal are being rumoured to have entered the race.
This was Villa’s second game in Switzerland. The previously put six goals past FC Wil with Harewood (2), Carew, Maloney, Routledge and 17-year-old starlet Nathan Delfouneso, firing the goals.
One interesting point to note is that Wayne Routledge has started both pre-season friendlies so far for Villa. Could he perhaps be in line to benefit from the departure of Barry despite Sidwell’s arrival?
Elsewhere, Stuart Taylor started in goal in both games for Villa although O’Neill did clinch the signing of US international, Brad Guzan, earlier today subject to a work permit.
O’Neill’s side will face either Finnish side TPS Turku or Odense from Denmark in the Intertoto Cup in less than a week. They go to Lincoln before then, on Tuesday, for a final friendly before things get competitive.
Villa Vs FC Zurich: Taylor, Baker (Osbourne 42), Gardner, Laursen, Knight, Reo-Coker (Abrighton 90), Sidwell (Salifou 45), Routledge (Young 45), Maloney (Petrov 45). Harewood (Carew 45), Agbonlahor (Delfouneso 72).
Villa Vs FC Wil: Taylor (Parish 77), Baker, Gardner, Laursen (Osbourne 45), Knight (Steiber 71), Salifou (Williams 75), Routledge (Albrighton 72), Petrov (Reo-Coker 45), Young (Maloney 45), Harewood (Delfounseo 45), Carew (Agbonlahor 45).
FC Sion 1 Everton 0
Still in Switzerland and Everton got their pre-season off to a losing start with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of FC Sion. With Tim Howard in the US and Everton’s African contingent still on summer breaks, Moyes fielded a young side with no senior strikers on show. Lescott and Jagielka provided some experience as the centre-back pairing, while Neville took up a midfield role.
Everton will take on Cambridge next Saturday as they step up their pre-season.
Everton vs FC Sion: Turner, Irving, Valente, Jagielka, Lescott, Van de Meyde, Rodwell, Neville, Kissock, Baxter, Jutkiewicz.